If you’d like to serve coconut drinks at a children’s birthday party, choose a ready-to-drink coconut plant-based drink rather than coconut milk intended for cooking. The drinks mentioned here come in 1 L cartons, so two cartons will give you around 2 L; adjust the quantity to suit the number of glasses you need. Before serving, check the ingredients, the children’s dietary requirements and the storage instructions for the product you buy.
If several children will be having a coconut drink, start by working out how many glasses you need to serve. The Alpro, Carrefour Bio and Bjorg drinks featured by Carrefour France come in 1 L cartons, so you’ll need two cartons to get around 2 L.
For a group party, check the children’s dietary requirements, then read the ingredients of every product you plan to serve. The recipes mentioned here differ in particular because some contain pea protein or cane sugar.
For pancakes or a cake, start with the ingredients and quantities specified in the recipe. A 1 L carton of coconut plant-based drink and a small carton of coconut milk for cooking are not automatically interchangeable.
First decide whether you’ll be serving coconut in glasses or using it in a recipe. Then check how much you need and the ingredients of the specific product you plan to use.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to serve | The net quantity in each carton and how many glasses you’re planning to serve; two 1 L cartons provide around 2 L of drink. | When several children are waiting for a drink, I want to make sure I have enough for everyone without mistaking two cartons for one large bottle. Around 40% of consumers put quantity and ease of serving first. |
| Ingredients and dietary requirements | The ingredients list, any allergens highlighted on the label and, if relevant for the party, the sugar content stated for the product you’ve chosen. | Before serving a group of children, I need to take account of the dietary requirements shared by their parents or carers. Ingredients are the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Use in a recipe | The product description and the quantity specified in the recipe, rather than just the word “coconut” on the packaging. | If I’m adding coconut to a cake or pancakes, I first look for a product that suits the ingredients and quantities in the recipe. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Carrefour France lists coconut drinks in 1 L cartons and coconut milk for cooking in smaller packs. The product description and intended use matter more than the word “coconut” when choosing what to serve.
For filling glasses, look for a ready-to-drink product. For a recipe, follow the product type and quantity specified.
A coconut drink may contain other ingredients. For example, the Carrefour Bio product listing mentions pea protein, while the Bjorg listing specifies cane sugar.
Check dietary requirements before the party and read the ingredients list and any allergens highlighted on each pack you buy.
The Alpro, Carrefour Bio and Bjorg drinks featured by Carrefour France come in 1 L cartons, not in a single 2 L pack.
If you’re aiming for around 2 L of drink, plan on two 1 L cartons, then adjust the amount to suit the number of glasses you need to serve.
It’s important to follow the storage instructions for the product you buy during transport and until it’s served. The French Ministry of National Education reminds people to keep perishable foods at the temperature stated.
Read the instructions on the packaging, especially those for after opening, and ask the school about its rules for bringing in food.
Carrefour France lists Alpro coconut plant-based drinks in 1 L cartons, including a classic version and one labelled “unsweetened”.
The Carrefour France listing features an organic coconut plant-based drink in a 1 L carton labelled “no added sugars”.
Carrefour France lists an organic Bjorg coconut plant-based drink in a 1 L carton.
Carrefour France lists Kara pourable coconut milk in a 20 cl pack for cooking.
No. The product name alone doesn’t tell you whether it meets an individual dietary requirement. Check the ingredients and any allergens highlighted on the specific pack, then confirm the child’s needs with their parent or carer. A “lactose-free” label doesn’t replace these checks.
First ask the school about its rules for bringing in food and any dietary requirements shared for pupils. For perishable food, also follow the storage temperature stated on the packaging, as advised by the French Ministry of National Education.
Follow the storage instructions on the carton you buy, including any guidance for after opening. If the product needs to be kept chilled, maintain the stated temperature during transport and until it’s served.
No. A coconut plant-based drink should not be used in place of food formulated for an infant. ANSES warns of the risks of replacing breast milk or infant formula with other drinks. This precaution does not apply to individual dietary choices for older children.